The national ABI score for April was 50.9 (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The ABI has been greater than 50 for three of months in a row and for five of the last six months.

Total housing starts were reported at a seasonally adjusted (SA), annual rate of 1,221,000 for the month of April. On a three month moving average (3MMA), basis SA starts were 1,160,000, a 5.2% year on year growth rate.

The PPI for all commodities moved up 5.3% year on year (y/y), in April. The index has now increased for five consecutive months with each successive months percentage increase greater than the month before.

The Dodge momentum index three month moving average (3MMA) rolled back up 2.6 points or 1.8% in April. The index has advanced in five of the previous six months. The index predicts non-residential construction activity approximately 12 months out.

Construction put-in-place (CPIP), March 2017: March CPIP data released today (May 1^st), yielded mixed results. Overall total construction posted positive growth.

Every four years, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) issues a report card on the health of infrastructure in America. The full 2017 detailed report is not yet available but the overall score was D+ on an A to F scale, the same score as the previous report.